Nations debate ban
ATLANTA - Georgia's hopes of increasing farm exports to the 15 European Union countries could benefit from an announcement made during President Clinton's summit in Portugal on Wednesday.

In the know
PRICE CHECK: Ever wonder if the prices at your regular grocery store are cheaper or more expensive than those up the street? Each Wednesday, Price Check offers price comparisons on goods at area stores. Prices below were checked Monday. No coupons or discount cards were used.

Capsules
Think the government is right in saying that drug expenditures are rising at double-digit rates? Well, such statistics don't show the half of it, says a study sponsored by a new advocacy group, RxHealthValue.

In the know
DOWN AND FEATHER: Calvin Klein might have a way with slick fashion. But he has a more domestic side too, and his new spring bed and bath line reflects it.

Small portions
The Vidalia onion's mellow flavor is the result of the mild climate and unique soil combination found in a small region of Georgia, which designated the Vidalia the state vegetable in 1990.

Digital music-makers
The digital revolution is in your back yard. If you think the battle lines between the record industry and online music are being drawn in places like California or New York - or if you didn't even know there was a battle going on - get ready. Some of the shock troops are producing music out of the bedrooms and basements of Augusta.

Panel distributes block grant funds
Nearly a dozen public service agencies and public facilities put a hand out when they heard the city's Housing & Neighborhood Development Department had to use or lose about $1 million in Community Development Block Grant money.

Native design
Aiken architect Martin Buckley designed a bent palmetto tree for a public art display on Columbia's city streets. Mr. Buckley's tree is one of 89 steel palmettos decorated by South Carolina artists.

Judge dismisses ineligibility petition
Georgia Rep. George DeLoach, R-Hephzibah, was cleared Tuesday of an accusation that he should be ineligible to seek a fourth term in District 119 because he allegedly doesn't live in the House district he represents.

Officials field calls on dirty water
Dirty water coming from faucets in downtown Augusta triggered a rash of calls to the city's utilities department Tuesday but posed no hazard to public health, Utilities Director Max Hicks said.

Center gives safe haven
AIKEN - The threat of domestic violence is very real in some Aiken households, but speakers at a mini-workshop called ``Just So You Know'' agreed that the greatest threat to the safety of women and children, and some men, is ignorance.

Edgefield County welcomes new plant
TRENTON, S.C. - A New York-based manufacturing company announced Tuesday that it will bring 175 jobs to the area - five more than were created in all of Edgefield County last year.

Court shoots down ex-assessor's appeal
Aiken County Administrator Bill Shepherd was justified in firing the county tax assessor for insubordination in 1996, the South Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled.

Competition challenges pupils' spelling skills
WASHINGTON - Packing a cherished Bible verse in his pocket and thousands of words he knows by heart, Lincoln County teen Andrew Brown was victorious through the third round of the 2000 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee.

Group visits in support of Elian
An organization that focuses on fighting the spread of Communism made a brief stop in Augusta to rally support for Elian Gonzalez to remain in the United States.

Athens remembers life of jurist
ATHENS, Ga. - Judge James Barrow, the jurist who guided Athens through the turbulent civil rights era with a firm grasp of the law and a gentle demeanor, was mourned Tuesday as an American hero and a ``shining knight'' who was an underdog in the legal process during the past six decades.

On the move
Air Force Airman 1st Class Colin Crandall (left) and Staff Sgt. John D. Williams read traveling material while waiting at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field inside the hull of a C-130 Hercules cargo plane that will fly them to Haiti, where they will complete medical and engineer support projects.

Firm: Greene Street best for justice center
The Maryland consulting firm updating the city's master plan for Augusta Tomorrow has chosen the 600 block of Greene Street as the best place in downtown Augusta to build a new judicial center.

State group eyes Chinese markets
ATLANTA - On the heels of House passage of the U.S.-China trade bill, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin plans to promote the state's agricultural products during a trade mission scheduled for June.

Schrenko examines platforms
State Schools Superintendent Linda Schrenko said her support for state House candidate Ron Beul won't be automatic. She'll have to study his platform before deciding to back him.

Shortages threaten science fair
The chance for pupils across the area to win blue ribbons for exploding volcanoes may be gone when they return to school next fall because funding and volunteers are missing at the nonprofit organization that oversees science fairs.

Demotion, suspension approved
The Augusta Personnel Board on Wednesday upheld the suspension and demotion of a fire department lieutenant accused of sleeping on duty.

Cheeks disappoints
Georgians who expect ethics in government will be disappointed again, this time with the latest accusation that state Sen. Don Cheeks, D-Augusta, used his position as vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee for personal gain.

James Brown already has a street
With absolutely no disrespect intended to either Mayor Bob Young or to lovers of soul music, I would simply ask three critical questions before renaming Augusta-Richmond County Arena as the ``James Brown Arena,'' a tribute to local musician James Brown, the ``Godfather of Soul.''
John Sisson, Evans

Keep ages separated on school buses
As a mother of three young Columbia County students I am extremely thankful for Mrs. Williams, our school bus driver. I have not been able to drive my children to school much this year, so having a safe, reliable and friendly person that I can trust my children's lives with means a lot.
Bethann Folland, Grovetown

Officials' water story contradicted
I was interested in the May 24 Page 1 article, ``Water colors.'' In the article, the cause of the water discoloration problem in south Richmond County was attributed to ``a high iron content,'' which local health officials then claimed to be fully ``correctable,'' posing ``no health risk'' to county residents.
Jack Sisson, Evans

Cultural change no excuse for `error'
``That was then, this is now'' is perhaps the most common excuse given by those in the religious community for the errors that continue to be introduced into the ``Christian'' churches, reference your May 23 editorial, ``Backward Baptists.'' It may come as a surprise to some, but God was not ignorant of the cultural and social mores of the 20th and 21st centuries when he instructed the Apostle Paul to write the words of 1 Timothy 2:8-14. Southern Baptist churches that ordain women as pastors are acting contrary to the clear, and still valid, instructions of God and are, therefore, in error.
Hubert Baker, Aiken

Building program a good foundation
In reply to the May 24 article ``Inmates construct new office'' in The Chronicle, all good construction requires a competent foundation. How refreshing to read the good news of the seven inmates of the Edgefield Federal Correctional Institution who were of service to the Edgefield County Board of Education.
Gerald A. Lee, Evans

Make child abusers pay the price
I read the May 24 article about Rebecca Cowart and the beating death of her 15-month-old daughter. If the evidence presented in the courtroom proves Ms. Cowart guilty, the death penalty should be considered.
Carolyn Johnson, Augusta

NAACP called economic terrorists
I am a 32-year-old white male, fourth-generation carpenter and a lifelong resident of South Carolina.
Andrew L. Pridgen, Burnettown

Scouts are not God's chosen people
I would like to respond to the letter saying homosexuals should not be leading Boy Scout troops. First, the Boy Scouts, as an organization, are not God's chosen people.
Kevin A. Palmer, Augusta

Proposes flying flag carrying swastika
I am certain this will not serve to lessen any of the controversy about the Confederate flag atop the South Carolina Statehouse capital or on the grounds; however, I would like to add my opinion to the long list of opinions.
Henry Scott, Hephzibah

Smog ruling a breather
When the U.S. Supreme Court said on Tuesday it will decide whether the government must take the cost of compliance into account when setting air pollution standards, it was a timely announcement for Augusta.

`Hybrid' a good step
The Augusta Commission took positive action recently regarding the role of the city attorney.

Water relief?
Mayor Bob Young brings good news for Augustans sick of water shortages and problems: Coming weeks will provide some relief.

Oops!
Due to a typographical error, the last line of two editorials in last Saturday's edition were dropped.

The story behind the title, `Mr. Bass'
My letter is in reference to the baffled local bass fisherman, Nick Faulkner (letter, May 22), who is snagged on how catching the state and world record blue catfish qualifies one to be touted ``Mr. Bass.''
Enon Hopkins, Augusta

Post your own Ten Commandments
The Chronicle covered the American Civil Liberties Union and its attacks on smaller governmental organizations for ``separation of church and state'' very well.
Gene England, Aiken

Complaints about Williams unfounded
A recent letter writer from Columbia County complained about the state representatives from the 113th and 114th districts and their performances.
K.G. Watson, Augusta

Quick-growth plants created
Genetic researchers have accelerated a plant's growth by making its cells split faster - a technique that could someday lead to heartier crops, shorter growing seasons and less use of herbicides.

Scientists pinpoint cause of lupus
German scientists have provided the first direct evidence that a key enzyme's failure to mop up dying cells contributes to lupus, a potentially fatal immune disorder.